Tehachapi Loop

Tehachapi Loop is a spiral railway line in Kern County, California, which climbs around 77 feet over a track length of roughly 3,779 feet. The rails describe a wide circle through the mountains and eventually cross over themselves on a bridge, so a train at the end of its curve rolls above its own beginning.

The line was built between 1874 and 1876 under the direction of engineers William Hood and James Strobridge. They employed around 3,000 Chinese workers to cut through granite and tunnel through the mountains.

The name refers to the local Tehachapi Mountains, which were considered difficult terrain by native inhabitants. Trains passing through today mark the endpoint of a link that once brought two major coastal cities closer together.

A viewing platform on Woodford-Tehachapi Road offers a good view of the passage through Tunnel 9 and the entire loop. Visitors hoping to watch should remember that around forty freight trains pass each day, so waiting times can vary.

For trains longer than roughly 3,800 feet, the front crosses the bridge while the rear is still starting the climb. From the viewing platform one can then see a single train rolling simultaneously above and below its own tracks.

Location: Kern County

GPS coordinates: 35.20083,-118.53694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:29